Our Food

Our pubs are loved by locals for the great food served all day, from breakfast (and brunch at weekends) through lunch and bar snacks, and on to full à la carte dinner. Created by The Victoria’s Chef-Director, Paul Merrett, our menus bring together the best of Modern British, Mediterranean and spice. Previously head chef at the Michelin-starred Greenhouse in Mayfair, Paul delivers fine dining flair and attention to detail at gastropub prices. The team has strong relationships with quality British farmers, butchers, and fruit and veg growers.

Our shopping list

Paul Merrett, Executive Chef of The Victoria, writes:

Sourcing ingredients for The Victoria is a big part of my job. I spend a lot of time meeting new suppliers, testing new products and visiting farms and producers.

I try to shop as seasonally as possible and keep a careful eye on food-miles too.

I am very proud of the suppliers we work with and the quality of the produce we receive. It doesn’t matter how good a chef you are if the produce we use is not up to scratch. We often get interest from guests in how we source our produce so the back of the menu felt like a good place to share that information.

Meat

Most of our meat is sourced by Paul Reeves a butcher based in Berkshire. Paul has a great knowledge and buys direct from farmers.

Our beef comes from a few select Surrey farms. We use various cuts and all are 21 day minimum dry aged. This process is important as it increases both tenderness and flavour.

The pork we use is from Dingley Dell, a family run farm on the east coast of Suffolk which produce excellent welfare friendly pork from a mainly red Duroc-based herd.

Our lamb comes from Cornwall and our sausages are made in Rutland by Farmer Lou. She started rearing pigs and selling artisan sausages at markets and country shows and uses only rare breeds – the sausages are 85% lean meat from the shoulder, leg and loin.

Fish and shellfish

Our fish comes from Bethnal Green… Well it’s not caught there obviously but I work with a fantastic East End fish supplier called Serge who buys sustainable day boat fish and shellfish from the harbour side in Cornwall and Newhaven.

Fruit and vegetables

Most of our fruit & veg come to us from our Covent Garden based supplier Fresh Connect, who started out as a small family run greengrocer but now also supply a few restaurants. I make regular visits to the market with my head chefs to see new produce and to check what’s in season.

There are certain fruits and vegetables that we will only ever use in season. They are almost like a little culinary calendar ticking off the months. Yorkshire rhubarb in January and February, English asparagus from April, Jersey Royal potatoes in May, English berries from June and then a summer full of soft fruits, apples and pears before the glorious greens of early autumn.

Our shopping list includes a few additional surprises …

Not everything can come from Britain though… our passion for a bit of exotic spicy food does mean that we also use a specialist Asian supplier for things like curry leaf, lemon grass and galangal.

We also make occasional use of some specialist suppliers such as Spanish produce from Brindisa and Greek produce from Odysea.

Then, in spring and early summer, I use a forager to find us those hedgerow gems that are abundant in the British countryside – nettles, elderflower, wild garlic, morels and chickweed.

And then there is you! We have had keen allotment folk bring in their surplus of carrots or parsnips or soft fruit and we are always happy to swap it for a beer or two!

We are always looking for new interesting suppliers and producers to work with so if you think your spuds are better than ours or you know someone doing something amazing then do let us know!

Choose a different Jolly Fine Pub

THE MALT HOUSE

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In a cobbled square just five minutes walk from Fulham Broadway tube, the Malt House serves some of Fulham’s best food in its stylish bar, dining room and secret garden.

The menus combine spice-based and Mediterranean dishes, from superfood salads to the best dirty burger and pulled pork this side of Shoreditch. The Malt House mood blends chilled and relaxed during the day with vibrant and energetic by night, making it an excellent place with a crowd or dinner for two. With great access to Central London and the South West, our six, sumptuous hotel rooms provide the perfect base for a Capital stopover.

THE FOX AND GRAPES

Wimbledon Common

The Fox and Grapes is the only independent pub in Wimbledon Village. Modern English menus deliver classics with a twist

from the definitive prawn cocktail to shepherd's pie made with slow roasted shoulder of lamb. Sunday lunches are a local legend, with three different roasts always available. Friendly and cosy, the Fox is the ideal everyday local, as well as the perfect spot for a celebration lunch or a relaxed dinner. And don't stop at dinner. Stay for breakfast too, after a night in one of our super-comfy, air-conditioned bedrooms.